Thanks for your interest in EIT Digital Champions. The call for applications is now closed.
In this 12th edition, we will select 50 finalists to pitch their companies to our jury of international investors. The winners, the Champions, will receive one year of tailored fundraising support from our Growth Services team.
We can’t wait to see which deep tech Champions will arise!
champion
cham·pē·ən
noun: one who has surpassed all rivals
The EIT Digital Champions aims to identify the best European deep tech entrepreneurs and help them scale up internationally, supporting the European innovation ecosystem.
We’re looking for fast-growing European companies with a differentiated product offering that leverages highly innovative digital technologies.
Read full entry requirements here.
champion
cham·pē·ən
verb: vigorously support or defend the cause of
EIT Digital vigorously supports the scaleups in our Growth Services programme. Next March our Champions will gain free admission to the programme and begin their journey to fundraising success. Our team will PREPARE them to pitch their company, CONNECT them with international investors, and help them RAISE their next round. Will you be a Champion?
Journey of a Champion
STEP 1
WSense competed in the EIT Digital Champions, pitching their amazing company and their Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT) technology. After impressing the jury, they were declared one of our Champions.
STEP 2
Over the next twelve months, WSense worked with EIT Digital’s growth services team to Prepare, Connect, & Raise. Together they prepared a compelling message, connected with key investors and arranged numerous investor calls.
STEP 3
Just one year later, WSense raised €9M from investors in three different EU countries! This is how EIT Digital supports European scaleups. Will you join us on this journey? Apply to the EIT Digital Champions today!
Raise your next Series A or B round with support from an experienced Access to Finance team
Hicham Najem
Hicham Najem
Hicham Najem has joined EIT Digital as Fundraising Specialist. Based in Brussels and reporting to Daniel Auriel, Hicham brings a wealth of experience in investment management, fundraising strategies, and business development.
Hicham's impressive career includes his role as Managing Partner at Aradii Capital, where he successfully raised USD 280 million for clients. He has also held senior positions at HSBC Private Bank, Tactical Global Management, and Brevan Howard Asset Management, where he demonstrated expertise in portfolio management and financial strategy.
Hicham holds an MBA from INSEAD and an MSc in Engineering and Business Management from the Catholic University of Louvain, graduating summa cum laude.
Tomas Pulido
Tomas Pulido
Tomas is an Engineer turned Oil&Gas Operator turned Startup Strategic Advisor.
He started in oil & gas exploration before moving into entrepreneurship for sport event filming with commercial drones. He has advised European and Israeli startups on Go-to-Market, public, and private fundraising strategies, particularly in deep tech sectors such as MedTech/HealthTech, Biotech, ClimateTech, AI/ML, among others.
He has also been a Venture Scout for startups aiming for European Programmes such as The EIC Accelerator, combined with scouting for a German VC (pre-seed, DACH focused). Besides, he is an Angel Investor in a pre-seed Spanish Business Angel Group and Startup Lab Mentor at IE Business School.
Tomas joined EIT Digital Growth Services in 2024 to cover the South Europe Region.
Jari Mieskonen
Jari Mieskonen
Seasoned venture manager with experience of some +120 direct investments mainly in Nordics and Baltics area. He has been a board member of all direct investments he has executed and served several years in Invest Europe venture council, FVCA board and is currently chairman of Nordic Venture Network. He is more like generalist than focused specialist what comes to technologies. He has always protected founder’s interest in complex deal structures and kept neutral professionalism in deal making. Based on his long experience in the venture industry he has seen several cycles in the market and knows that timing is sometimes more important than maximum value.
Dr Daniel Auriel
Dr Daniel Auriel
Daniel is as "deeptech" as they get. He started his career in chemical and pharmaceutical R&D in large corporation such as Bayer and Stora Enso, before taking on various innovation, strategy and business assignments focused on advanced technologies in Germany, China, Israel and other regions. His work resulted in 7 products brought to the market, 1 business unit & 1 regional office created, and 1 new business model implemented.
Since 2015, he followed his passion for entrepreneurship & investments as VC investment manager (Capricorn Venture Partners), as venture partner for a start-up incubator/accelerator, and as angel investor as well as start-up advisor. He joined EIT Digital in 2019 where he covers the DACH region and has helped successfully close multiple fundraisings in areas such as MedTech/HealthTech, PropTech, Big Data, ClimateTech, AgroTech, etc.
Our Growth Services success stories
€13M RAISE
AI and high-performance computing to manage and prevent the impact of climate risks.
INVESTORS
Microsoft Climate Fund- Nationwide Ventures
- Kibo Ventures
- Creas Impacto
Faber Ventures
€11M RAISE
JENTIS’s solution allows for server-side web tracking that delivers more precise marketing and analytics data and full data control, while fully complying with GDPR and other privacy regulations.
INVESTORS
- Bright Pixel
3TS Capital Partners 
Pragmatech Ventures
€9M RAISE
WSense ‘s deep-tech wireless underwater monitoring and communication systems enables an Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT).
INVESTORS
Swen- CDP
RunwayFBU- Katapult
- Axon Partners Group
€6M RAISE
Sensoneo provides enterprise-grade smart waste management products and services intended to redefine the way waste is managed.
INVESTORS
EIC Fund- Venture to Future Fund
Taiwania Capital
Timeline
| September 25, 2024 | December 2, 2024 23:59 CET | January 14-15, 2025 | February 28, 2025 | Q2, 2025 |
| Applications Open | Submission Deadline | Online Pitch Competition with VC Investors | Proclamation of Champions | Champions attend VIP Investor Dinner |
Our corporate sponsors
This year we have two corporate sponsors backing our competition. GEA Digital and ST Microelectronics have generously agreed to support our Champions with the opportunity to enter fruitful collaborations that will unite the tremendous resources of our corporate partners and the unrivalled innovation of our Champions. In the online application you will have the opportunity to indicate your interest in these collaborations.
In the realm of digital transformation, GEA Digital navigates a dynamic landscape empowered by cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), and immersive experiences such as virtual (VR), mixed (XR), and augmented reality (AR). At the heart of this innovation lies their vibrant ecosystem, strategically curated with agile partners and solution providers. This dynamic network ensures that GEA Digital stays ahead in a fast-evolving tech environment, continually adapting to the pulsating rhythm of progress.
With over 30 years’ experience in automotive electronics, STMicroelectronics is a solid, innovative, and reliable partner with whom to build the future of transportation. ST's Smart Driving products and automotive solutions are making driving safer, greener and more connected through the combination of several of their technologies. ST supports a wide range of automotive applications, from Powertrain for ICE, Chassis and Safety, Body and Convenience to Telematics & Infotainment, paving the way to the new era of car electrification, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), car connectivity and security.
These top tier investors attended recent editions of the Champions
Criteria
Fast-growing technology company with international ambitions
Company max. ten years old*
Company incorporated in EU27 or Horizon Europe Associated Countries**
Growth stage: min €500,000 in revenue (2024), OR at least €2,000,000 in total funding to date
*Company incorporated after 01/01/2015
**See the full list of countries here.
Startups in growth stage (scaleups) can apply in five thematic areas: Digital Tech, Digital Industry, Digital Cities, Digital Wellbeing, and Digital Finance. Learn more about them here.
We will examine the market and internationalization potential of your product or service as well as the quality of your core team. We will also consider the fit of your product or service to our thematic areas and the impact our support could have on your business.
In addition, you must be prepared to pitch in public. Pitch and application must be done in English. Make sure to read our contest conditions and check the FAQ page. If you have any further questions don't hesitate to contact us at champions@eitdigital.eu.
Let's keep in touch
Contact us at champions@eitdigital.eu.
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